Inking mechanism for rotary intaglio printing machines



A. WEISS Oct. 18, 1938.

INKING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY INTAGLIO PRINTING MACHINES Original Filed May 25, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet l v INVENTOR. um Wam, BY

@ ,Mlm/C+ ATTORNEYS A. WEISS Oct. 18, 1938.

INKING MECHANISM FoR ROTARY INTAGLIO PRINTING MACHINES Original Filed May 25, 1956 .5 Sheets-Sheet 2 y III INVENTOR. daga/l @1% BY Jr/f 1 t I I II A. wElss Oct. 18, 1938.

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed May 23, 1956 INVENTOR,

dagh Weiss,

/fAf-r @M14/(M,

H ATTORNEYS mm1 g N i A b lll, 4| nimv n A f Patented Oct. 18, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INKING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY IN- TAGLIO PRINTING MACHINES Adolph Weiss, Brooklyn, N. Y.

32 Claims.

The present invention relates to rotary intaglio printing presses having enclosed fountains within which ink is adapted to be received and applied to the printing cylinder which is partially enclosed by the fountain. This application is a division of applicants copending application Serial No, 81,409, filed May 23, 1936, for Adjusting and operating mechanism for enclosed ink fountains. In applicants patents Reissue No. 18,856, granted June 6, 1933, and No. 2,014,303, granted September 10, 1935, and No. 2,055,272, granted September 22, 1936, there is shown and described an enclosed fountain of the above character.

'I'he present invention has for an object the 5 provision of a fountain of the above character, the construction of which is greatly simplified, and the control and maintenance of which is greatly facilitated.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction of the above character in which the control elements are effectively protected and separated from the ink and ink vapors present Within the housing.

A further object of the invention is to provide 5 a housing in which the upper portions are so constructed and positioned that interference with the web and with access to the press is prevented.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in combination with a housing having an inking head, means for automatically draining the ink from the head prior to the removal of the head from the fountain.

A further object of the invention is to provide a housing of the above character having a. con- 5 struction such that the exterior surface is formed with a minimum number of projections, thus facilitating the cleaning and maintenance thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in combination with an enclosed fountain having means -to apply ink directly to the cylinder, mechanism by means of which the inking device may be eifectively controlled while preserving a desired closure about a portion of the cylinder. 5 A further object of the invention is to provide an inking device in combination with structure of the above character by means of which the position of the inking device may be effectively varied by movement thereof in one or more directions in order that the device may be properly positioned with respect to printing cylinders of varying diameters.

A further object of the invention is to provide,

in combination-with means for moving and adjusting the position of the inking head of fountains of the above character, means by which the fountain may be effectively locked in a desired position.

A further object of the invention is to `provide a control mechanism for fountains having an inking'head, the mechanism affording a sequential operation such that improper steps cannot be taken in assembling or dismounting the head. In this connection, it is proposed to provide a control by means of which the drain for the head lo is rst opened by the operation of removing the head, and, after the drain has been opened, further continued operation of the control mechanism releases the felt sealing member, after which the head is unlocked.

Further objects of the inventionwlll be apparent as it is described in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a housing constructed in accordance with the present invention and looking at the inking side of the housing; y

Figure 2 is a plan view of the inking side of the housing shown in Figure 1 with a portion of the inking head broken away and in section .s to illustrate the manifolding of the inking head;

Figure 3 is a view in section, taken on line 3 3 of Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a view in section, taken on line o` 4 4 of Figure 1, and looking in the direction oi the arrows;

Figure 5 is a view in section, taken on line 5 5 of Figure 4, and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 6 is a view in section, taken on line 8 6 of Figure 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 7 is a view in section, taken on line 1 1 of Figure 1 showing the elements of the"40 housing in assembled relation;

Figure 8 is a view in section, taken on line 8 8 of Figure 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

With reference to the above drawings, the houslng will be seen to include a sump 20 (Figure 7) having side walls 2l and 22. A pipe 23 communicates with the lowest position of the sump and permits lnk to be withdrawn therefrom by a suitable pumping and recirculating mechanism 5o as shown particularly in applicant's Patent No. 2,014,303 above referred to.

Upon the side wall 2| is formed an inwardly extending horizontal flange 24, having anangularly extending flange 2B. The side wall portion 56 26 isformed with a horizontal table 21 upon y which one or more guide rods 28 are secured.

The guide rods 28 are mounted upon a longitudinal bracket 29 having a base portion 30 adapted to engage the plate 24 when the mechanism is in its normal operating condition, as i1- lustrated in Figure '1. The plate 29 is formed with a plurality of pairs of spaced hinge arms 3| which cooperate .with apertured bosses 32, formed upon the side Walls 2| and, with hinge pins 33, serve to mount the table 21 and bracket 29 hingedly in order that the structure may be swung" away from its normal position to facilitate access to the fountain.

In order that the guide rods 28 may be properly positioned, guides 341- are formed on the bracket 29 being connected thereto by means of websl 35.

I The guides 34 are formed with Vguide ways 36 within which the guide rods 28 are slidablyreceived, the guide rods being formed with teeth 3 1 which are adapted to be engaged by gears 28, mounted upon a shaft 39. The shaft 39 is journaled in bosses 40, also formed on the webs 35, thus providing a means by which all of the guide rods 28 are moved simultaneously. This motion results from an operating mechanism mounted v51'is slidably mounted.

plate 38, respectively. A drive shaft 44 is journaled in the housing 4| and bracket 29, being provided with a squared end 45 and a worm 46. A worm wheel 41 is splined to the shaft 39, thus transmitting power from the drive shaft 44 to the shaft 39 and gears 38. In this fashion, the guide rods 28 are moved in either direction verticallyV to adjust the vertical position of the wall 26.

Upon the horizontal table 21 a reentrant retaining ilange 48 is provided, an inking head 49 -being received upon the table. The head 49 is formed with a base 59 having an elongated groove to receive the flange 48 and be locked thereby. 'I'he base 50 is formed with `spaced recesses 5| adjacent the ends thereof, such recesses serving to receive locking mechanism to be presently described. The head 49 and base 59 are secured together by means of bolts 5.24 and the head is locked in the vposition shown in Figure 4 by means of a cam 53 (Figure 6) which is mounted upon a vertical shaft 54journaled in a boss 55 which is formed on the head 49. The shafts 54 have pinions 56 secured to the upper ends thereof, these pinions engaging a rack- 51 (Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7) which is slidably mounted in bosses 58 formed in the head 49 and provided with grooves 59 within which the rack The rack 51 is also shown in Figure 7 wherein the mechanism by means of which the locking cams 53 are operated is illustrated in greater detail. For this purpose, a shaft 661s mounted in the head 49 and providedwith a manually operable crank 6| as well as a pinion 62 which engages the teeth of the rack 51. By turning the crank 6|, the rack 51 may be moved in either direction, causing the shafts 54 and cams 53 to be turned.- Upon opposite sides of each of the shafts 54, and lying substantially in planes passing through the axes of shafts 54 and perpendicular to thewall 26 are stub shafts 63 and 64 secured in the platform 21. Stub shaft 63 is provided with a roller 65 while shaft 64 is provided with a roller 66 having a anged portion 61.

Each of the cams 53 is formed with a tapered surface 68 which is adapted to be engaged under the flanged portion 61 to lock the head in the position shown in Figure 4. When the rack is moved in either direction from the position shown in Figure 4, the cams 53 are turned and, upon motion thereof through 180 degrees, the rollers 65 are engaged and the base 50 is retracted from the ilange48 to unlock the head and permit the same to be removed.

In order that the fountain may be effectively sealed to prevent substantial evaporation 'of the volatile ingredients of ink that may be used in the housing, the head 49 is provided with a removable bracket 69 which is locked in a normal sealing position by means of a spring lock plate 16. To this end, the bracket is formed with a plate 1| having a positioning ange 12. The head 49 is formed with a longitudinal shoulder 13 against which the flange 12 abuts to position the bracket 69 properly with respect to the head. Within the bracket 69 is provided a sealing strip 14 of any suitable material Such as felt, or the like, this strip being secured to the bracket 69 by means of screws 15 of the like. A positioningstrip 16 is also provided within the bracket 69. screws 11 securing the same in position in order that the positioning strip 16 may maintain the sealing strip 14 effectively in the sealing position shown in Figure 4. The positioning strip 16 is formed with a cutaway portion 18 along the por- -tion thereof adjacent an ink discharge nozzle 19 (Figures 3 and 7) to be described in greater detail hereinafter. The end of the head 49 adjacent the cylinder is formed with a boss 88 against which the bracket 69 urges the sealing and positioning strips 14 and 16 when the locking strip 10 has been moved to a locking position.

It will thus be seen that the bracket 69 may be readily removed from the head 49 when the spring lock strip 10 is moved into a retracted position. In the normal position of the spring strip 10, however, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the bracket is maintained in a normal4 sealing position. The mechanism for actuating the locking strip 10 comprises eccentrics 8| secured to the shafts 54. Links 82 are formed with apertures 83 which receive the eccentrics 8| and thus transmit reciprocating motion from the rotating shafts 54 to the links 82. At the other ends of links 82, apertured bosses 84 are provided, these bosses receiving stub shafts 85 whichextend through a sealing plate 86 carried by the head 49, this plate being formed with apertures 81 to receive the shafts 85. Above the sealing plate 86, the shafts 85 are provided with guides 88 which are received in grooves 89, formed within the head 49.l Guides 88 are so mounted with respect to apertures 81 that the apertures 81 are closed when the lock plate 19 is in clamping position. The head 49 is also formed with slots 90 in which the shafts 85 are slidably received, bushings 9| being provided therein for this purpose. A reinforcing strip 92 is provided beneath the spring locking strip 10, nuts 93 securing the foregoing elements in the assembled position shownin Figure 4.

It will thus be seen that, when the eccentric locks 53 are disengaged, the lock strip 10 will be the nozzle 19. Within the head 49 is secured a manifold member 94. The head 49 is secured, as illustrated in Figure 7, to the bottom plate 50 by the bolts 52 and the manifold member 94 is secured to the upper portion of the head 49 by means of bolts 95. The sealing plate 86 extends longitudinally of the head and lies between the manifold member 94 and the upper portion of the head to serve as a means to seal the manifold member from the adjacent portions of the head to which the said member is secured. Bolts 9B additionally secure the manifold member to the head and, by extending through the member, also secure elbow connections 91 to the manifold member. Flanges 98 are formed on the elbow connections 91 and are secured to the outer wall 99 of the head 49 by means of bolts |00. As illustrated in Figure 2, the manifold member is formed in a plurality of sections as indicated by the division lines Illl. Each section is formed with an outer lip |02 which coacts with the adjacent portion of the head to form the nozzle 19. In order that a uniform amount of ink may be supplied to the nozzle over the entire length thereof, the manifold member is formed with passages |03 which communicate with ducts |04. Ducts |04 in turn communicate with ducts |05 which, in turn, co-mmunicate with ducts |06. Ducts |06 communicate with ducts |01 which in turn cornmunicate with the nozzle 19, thus affording an even distribution of ink to the portion of the nozzles supplied by such ducts. Obviously, the cross-sectional area of these ducts diminishes as the ducts progress to the various stages of division of the ink ow. The passages |03 are supplied with ink from a manifold |08, formed in the elbow 91 (Figure 2). Each of the elbows 91 is formed with a ange 98 which is elongated and formed with a similar elbow, as shown in Figure 2. A longitudinal duct |09 is formed in the flange 98, this duct communicating through a passage with a manifold passage formed in the side wall 99 of the head 49 (Figures 2 and 7). A pipe connection ||2 with the manifold passage permits ink to be delivered to the said passage from a suitable circulating mechanism, not shown.

Within the side wall 99, and serving as a Wall of the manifold passage is a plate ||3 upon which the flanges 98 are mounted. The passages ||0 are formed in plate I3 to afford communication between the passages |09 and and the plate ||3 is formed with a horizontal flange ||4 (Figure 7) within which the lower end of shaft 60 is journaled. In order that ink may be bypassed around the nozzle 19, a conduit is provided between the manifold passage and the interior of the ink housing. A valve chamber ||6 is formed in this passage and adapted to receive a valve plug |1 (Figure 7.). A shaft ||8 is secured to the valve ||1 and journaled in the flange ||4, the upper end thereof being provided with a pinion ||9 which engages a gear l|20, secured to the shaft |50. In this fashion, when the manually operated crank 6| is actuated to release the head 49 from its sealing position and release the sealing bracket 69 from like position, the valve ||1 is opened to by-pass ink from the manifold passage to the ink housing.

Upon the side of the housing opposite from the inking head 49, a doctor supporting mechanism is provided, this mechanism being described specically in the parent application Serial No#f 81,409 of which this' application is a division. A

detailed description of these elements is, therefore, unnecessary herein.

It will thus be seen that the construction described herein provides an improved fountain wherein the operating parts are enclosed and maintained away from the ink and ink vapors within the housing, the construction also being such as to facilitate the cleaning and maintenance thereof, particularly inl view of the minimum number of projections from the fountain housing. All locking members are convenient and accessible and the control mechanism is such as to insure a proper sequence of operations to prevent damage to the mechanism.

Moreover, inasmuch as the inking head as well as the doctor mechanism is positioned more to the side of the-cylinder than above the same,

ready accessibility to the press and web is afforded. Inasmuch as the ink does not drain from the head by gravity, the inner lock with the control member insures opening of the drain prior to removal of the head.

While the invention has been described with specific reference to the construction shown in the accompanying drawings, it is not to be limited, save as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. Inking mechanism for a rotaryv intaglio printing machine comprising a side wall having a platform member, an inking head member removably seated on the platform, locking means comprising cooperative longitudinal locking means formed on the said platform and head, a stud on one of the members, a cam on theother of the members, and means to actuate lthe cam to lock the members in assembled position.

2. Inking mechanism` for a rotary intaglio printing machine comprising a side wall having a platform member, an inking head member removably seated on the platform, locking means comprising cooperative longitudinal locking means formed on thc said platform and head, a pair of studs on one of the members, a pair of rotatable cams on the other of the members adapted to engage the studs, and means to rotate the cams to lock the members in assembled position.

3. Inking mechanism for a rotary intaglio printing machine comprising a side wall having a platform member. an inking head member removably seated on the platform, locking means comprising cooperative longitudinal locking means formed on the said platform and head, a pair of studs on one of the members, a pair of rotatable cams on the other of the' members adapted to engage the studs, and means lto rotate the -cams simultaneously to thereby exert a simultaneous locking action on the locking means.

4.-. Inking mechanism for a rotary intaglio printing machine comprising a side wall having a platform member, an inking'head member removably seated on the platform, locking means comprising cooperative longitudinal locking means formed on the said platform and head, two pairs of spaced roller studs on one of the members, a pair of rotatable cams on the other of the members to selectively engage the studs of the respective pairs, and means to rotate the cams into vselective engagement with the respective studs,

5. Inking mechanism for a rotary intaglio printing machine comprising a side wall having a platform member, an inking head member removably seated on the platform, locking means comprising cooperative longitudinal locking means formed on the said platform and head, two pairs of spaced roller studs on one of the members, a pair of rotatable cams on the other of the members to selectively engage the studs of the respective pairs, and means to rotate the cams simultaneously into selective engagement with the respective studs, the studs being so positioned that actuation of certain ones thereof by the cams causes the locking means to be engaged while actuation of other of the studs causes the locking means to be released.

6. Inking mechanism for a rotary intaglio printing machine comprising a side wall ha-ving a platform member, an inking head member removably seated on the platform, locking means comprising cooperative longitudinal 'locking -means formed on the said platform and head, roller studs on one of the members, a pair of rotatable cams on the other member adapted to engage the studs, pinion gears mounted on the cams, a slide having rack teeth formed thereon and meshing with said gears, and means to move the slide to rotate the cams simultaneously '1n either direction.

7. An inking head adapted for use with an enclosed ink housing for a rotary intaglio printing machine and having a sealing strip, a holder for the strip removably mounted on the head, locking means for securing the holder to the head, and means Within the head to actuate the locking means.

8. An inking head adapted for use with an enclosed ink housing for a rotary intaglio printing machine and having a sealing` strip, a holder for the strip removably mounted on the head, locking means comprising a cover plate adapted to cooperate with the holder, and means to actuate the cover plate.

9. An inking head adapted for use with an enclosed ink housing for a rotary intaglio printing machine and having a sealing strip, a holder for the strip removably mounted on the head, locking meansfor securing the holder to the head, said locking means including actuating means partly outside and partly'within the head, and means cooperating with the last named means to maintain the head in substantially sealed condition. v

10. In combination with an enclosed ink housing for a rotary intaglio printing machine, a side wall having a' platform thereon, an inking head removably seated thereon, a sealing strip having a holder removably mounted on the head, locking means to secure the head to the platform, locking means to secure the strip and holder to the head, and common means to actuat the two said locking means.

11. In combination with an enclosed ink housing for a rotary intaglio printing machine, a side `wall having a platform thereon. an 'inking head removably seated thereon, a sealing strip having a holder removably mounted on the'head, locking means to secure the head to the platform, locking means to secure the strip and holder to the head, and common means within the head to actuate the two said locking means.

l2. In combination with `an enclosed ink housing for a rotary intaglio printing machine, a side wall having a platform thereon, an inking head removably seated thereon, a sealing striplhaving a holder removably mounted on the head, locking means to secure'the head to the platform, locking means to secure the strip and holder to the head, and common means within the Vhead to actuate the two said locking means, and a manually operable member outside the head to operate the actuating means.

13. In combination with an enclosed ink housing fora rotary intaglio printing machine, a side wall having. a platform thereon, an inking head removably seated thereon, a sealing strip having a holder removably mounted on the head, locking means to secure the head to the platform, locking means to secure the strip and holder to the head, and common means to actuate the two said locking means, the common actuating means functioning to release vthe strip and holder prior to releasing the head from the platform.

14. In c0mbination with an enclosed ink housing for a rotary intaglio printing machine, a side wall having a platform thereon, an inking head removably seated thereon, a sealing strip having a holder removably mounted on the head, locking means to secure the head to the platform, locking means to secure the strip and holder to the head, and common means to actuate the two said locking means, the common actuating means functioning to release the strip and holder prior to releasing the head from the p1atform and to engage the head on the platform prior to locking the strip and holder upon the head.

15. Inking mechanism for a rotary intaglio printing machine comprising an inking head having an intake port, means forming a dividing manifold passage in a wall of the head, a plurality of distributing manifolds having dividing manifold passages communicating with the first passage, providing successive stages of distribution, and a discharge nozzle on the head communicating with the last named passages.

16. Inking mechanism for a rotary intaglio printing machine comprising an inking head having an intake port, means forming a dividing manifold passage in a wall -of the head, a plurality of distributing manifolds having dividing manifold passages communicating with the rst passage, providing successive stages 0f distribution, all of said manifolds being mounted on the interior of the head, and a discharge nozzle on the l head communicating with the last named passages.

17. Inking mechanism for a rotary intaglio printing machine comprising an inking head, means .thereon to discharge ink therefrom, and

means inthe head formed with ducts communi-v head, locking means for securing the head in a normal voperative position, a drain valve for the head, and common means to actuate the locking means and the drain valve.

19. Inking 4mechanism for a rotary intaglio printing machine comprising a removable inking head, locking means for securing the head in a normal operative position, a drain valve for the head, and common means to actuate the locking means and the drain valve, the last named valve being adapted to close the drain valve prior to locking the head, and open the valve prior to unlocking the head.

20. Inking mechanism for a rotary intaglio printing machine comprising a removable inking head, locking means for securing the head in a normal operative position, a sealing strip removably carried by the head, means to secure the strip on the head, a drain valve for the head, and common means for operating the drain valve, the locking means, and the strip securing means.

21. Inking mechanism for a rotary intaglio printing machine comprising a removable inking head, locking means for securing the head in a normal operative position, a sealing strip removably carried by the head, means to secure the strip on the head, a drain valve for the head, and a manually operable means for operating the drain valve, the locking means and the strip securing means in a predetermined sequence.

22. Inking mechanism for a rotary intaglio printing machine having a sealed ink housing chamber comprising a removable inking head, means to mount the head to form a portion of the housing of the chamber, and means for locking the head in a normal operative position, said locking means being sealed from the interior of the housing.

23. Inking mechanism for a rotary intaglio printing machine having a sealed ink housing chamber comprising an inking head, means to mount the head to form a portion of the housing of the chamber, a drain valve for the head, and operating means for the valve, said valve and operating means being sealed from the interior of the housing.

24. Inking mechanism for a rotary intaglio printing machine comprising an inking head having walls forming a box-like sealed enclosure, and means forming a sealed ink distributing system within the enclosure and forming a portion of the enclosure said means directing ink through the head.

25. Inking mechanism for a rotary intaglio printing machine comprising a removable inking head having walls forming a box-like sealed enclosure, means to lock the head in a normal operative position, and means within the enclosure to operate the locking means.

2,6. Inking mechanism for a rotary intaglio' printing machine comprising an inking head having walls forming a box-like sealed enclosure, and means forming a sealed ink distributing system within the enclosure and directing ink through the head, a drain valve the intake port of whichv communicates with the lowermost level of the system, the discharge port of the valve communicating with the exterior of the head, and actuating means for the valve, said valve and actuating means being mounted within the sealed enclosure and the actuating means'being sealed from the system.

27. Inking mechanism for a rotary intaglio printing machine comprising a removable inking head having walls forming a box-like sealed enclosure, means to lock the head in a normal operative position, a sealing strip removably carried by the head, means to secure the strip in a normal position, a drain valve for the head, and means within the head to operate the locking means, the securing means and the valve.

28. Inking mechanism for r a rotary intaglio printing machine comprising a removable inking head having walls forming a box-like sealed enclosure, means to lock the head in a normal operative position, a sealing strip removably carried by the head, means to secure the strip in a normal position, a drain valve for the head, means within the head to operate the locking means, the securing means and the valve, and means exteriorly of the head to actuate the operating means.

29. Inking mechanism for a rotary in taglio printing machine comprising an inking head having walls forming a box-like sealed enclosure, and means forming a sealed ink distributing system within the enclosure andy forming a portion of the enclosure and directing ink through the head, the head having an intake portand a discharge nozzle to discharge ink from the head.

30. Inking mechanism for a rotary intaglio printing machine adapted to accommodate printing cylinders of varying diameters and having an enclosed ink housing chamber comprising an inking head for inking the cylinder, a side wall, an adjustable wall plate movably mountedon the side wall supporting the inking head and movable therewith to position the head relative to cylinders of varying diameters and maintain a sealing relation between the head and the walls, means for adjusting the position o! the head, and means for maintaining the last-named means out of contact with the interior of the enclosed ink housing chamber.

31. Inking mechanism for a rotary intaglio printing machine adapted to accommodate printing cylinders of varying diameters and having an enclosed ink housing chamber comprising an inking means, means to mount the last named means adjustably to accommodate printing cylinders of varying diameters, means .to adjust the position of the inking means, and means for maintaining the last-named means out of contact with the interior of the enclosed ink housing chamber.

32. Inking mechanism for a rotary intaglio printing machine adapted to accommodate printingcylinders of varying diameters andhaving an enclosed ink housing chamber comprising an inking means, means to mount the last named means removably and adjustably to accommodate printing cylinders of varying diameters, means exteriorly of the chamber tolock the inkingmeans in an adjusted position, means toadjust the position of the inking means, and means for maintaining the last-named means out of contact with the interior of the enclosed vink housing chamber.

' ADOLPH WEISS. 

